9/11 Shooting victim to sue Governor Perry

How would you respond if you were shot in the face? If you were the target of a religiously motivated hate crime, would you pursue relationship with your attempted killer, and advocate for his life? Would you be so committed to forgiveness that you would sue your state governor to get him to stay the execution of your shooter?

Rais Bhuiyan is doing just that. His shooter, Mark Stroman, shot him and killed 2 others in retaliation for the 9/11 attacks on the US. I’ve told Mr Bhuiyan’s story before as he tries to Stop the cycle of violence. But no one is listening. Mr. Bhuiyan says,

“Along with families of the other victims in the case, I have been ignored and sidelined, year after year. My parents taught me to believe passionately in compassion and respect. If Governor Perry really means it when he says victims’ rights are a priority, we need action rather than hollow words.”

Katherine O’shea of Reprieve (the organization breaking this news) says,

“Due to his strong religious belief in the importance of forgiveness, Mr Bhuiyan never wanted to see Mark Stroman die. Supported in his campaign by the families of the two other victims, Mr Bhuiyan has recently criss-crossed Texas in search of a politician willing to listen to him.”

So sad! How can we not listen to the rights of our victims. Even Rick Perry, the article says, believes we should. Earlier this year, Governor Perry decreed that April 10-16, 2011, would be Victims’ Rights Week:

“I encourage all Texans,” he said, “to join in this effort by learning more about victims’ rights and supporting victims of
crime whenever possible. We can help our fellow Texans on the road to recovery with compassion and respect.”

Mark Stroman is scheduled for execution next Wednesday, July 20th. Left with no other options of securing his shooters life, Bhuiyan tomorrow will sue Governor Rick Perry as being in violation of the Texas Victims Bill of Rights. I find this to be a beautiful and challenging expression of humanity.

How far would you go in securing the life of someone who tried to kill you? The more I hear the story of this Muslim man, the more I am inspired to remember my own heros’ story: Jesus, executed-now-risen, looked in the face of his murderers and asked God to “Forgive them, for they know not what they do.” It saddens me to know many in my own faith will place vengeance above forgiveness, and that I need to look to another faith to find inspiration for forgiveness.

As the 10th Anniversary of 9/11 rapidly approaches, its stories like this we should place front and center in our minds. May we, like Rais Bhuiyan, place forgiveness above vengeance and seek life through enemy-love. May it be so for us all!